MSE

Trading Report for week ending June 1, 2012

Index

up 1.4 per cent despite falls in bank shares

The Malta Stock Exchange (MSE) Index upheld its positive trend by

registering a significant gain of 1.4 per cent to end the week at 3,027.235

points. Despite kicking-off on a negative note the index managed to regain

ground by recording considerable gains in the following three sessions, mainly

on Wednesday with the index displaying a solid appreciation of 1.3 per cent. This

week International Hotels Investments

plc shares garnered support with a staggering gain, followed by GO plc which maintained its exponential

appreciation for the fourth week in a row. Conversely, the banking sector

experienced a dull week as Bank of

Valletta plc, HSBC Bank Malta

and Lombard Bank plc all depreciated in value.

In line with last week, activity was

characterised over 14 equities, in which seven edged lower, four posted gains,

while the remaining three closed unchanged. Total trading value decreased to EUR598,483

traded over a total of 140 transactions which were dealt across 462,704 shares.

In the local Government stock market, investors’ opted for a supportive

mood, as from the 22 active stocks, 13 traded in positive territory, eight

incurred minimal losses, while the other closed unchanged. Total trading value

more than doubled to total just over 24.8m which was traded over 140

transactions. Meanwhile, in the Corporate

Bonds running yields were mixed, as four gained ground, five edged lower,

while the remaining 15 closed flat. The 7.5%

MIH 2015 headed the list of gainers with an appreciation of just over one

per cent.

In the equity market, International Hotels Investments plc

shares logged a  stunning gain of 7.1 per

cent to end the week at EUR0.90. The hoteliers’ equity was active in two

sessions gaining 1.2 per cent and 5.9 per cent on Monday and Wednesday

respectively. A total of 78,190 shares changed ownership across 20 trades.

Likewise, from the telecommunications

sector, GO plc share price continued

to push forward as in the week it gained a further 4.6 per cent, and thus

resulting in an appreciation of 26.8 per cent over four weeks. The equity was

active in four sessions as it traded in positive ground throughout the week to

re-touch the EUR0.92 price levels. From the beverage sector, Simonds Farsons Cisk plc maintained

last week’s footsteps as its share value advanced by a further 2.3 per cent to

end the week at EUR1.995.

The other positive performer for the

week was Plaza Centres plc which

surged by 58.73 per cent over a single trade of 800 shares to close at EUR0.90.  As approved by the members in the annual

general meeting held on May

24, 2012, shareholders were entitled to three shares for every

share held within the company.

On the contrary, negativity prevailed

in Lombard Bank plc shares, as the

banking equity extended its gradual fall for the fourth consecutive week with a

depreciation of 0.4 per cent, thus marking a loss of 16.3 per cent

year-to-date. The equity was active in three sessions, in which 9,810 shares

were executed over five deals to end the week at EUR2.26.

In line with its peer, 0.4 per cent

was shaved-off HSBC Bank Malta plc

share value over a total of 67,661 shares to end the week at the EUR2.48 price

level. On Thursday, the company announced that regulatory approval of the sale

of its card acquiring business to HSBC Merchant Serviced Ltd, a Maltese

subsidiary of Global Payments, has been obtained and the sale has been

completed.

The other active banks were Bank of Valletta plc and FIMBank plc, with the former declining

by just below one per cent over a total of 58,377 shares to end the week at EUR2.06,

while the latter closed unchanged at $0.85 after trading at an intra week low

of $0.75 over eight trades of 72,298 shares.

From the aviation industry, Malta International Airport plc surrendered

its previous gains by registering a loss of 1.1 per cent. The equity was active

in the last trading minutes on Friday in which 5,000 shares exchanged hands

over two trades to move back to the EUR1.73 price level. Similarly, from the

postal industry, Maltapost plc

shares drifted lower by 4.2 per cent over two sessions to end the week at EUR0.92.

The equity had the lion’s share as a total of 90,379 shares were executed over

nine transactions.     

The other losers for the week were Grand Harbour Marina plc and RS2 Software plc. The former slipped by

1.1 per cent on Monday over a single trade worth EUR1,849, while the latter

extended its negative momentum by adding a loss of 1.9 per cent over two trades

of 29,000 shares to close the week at EUR0.51.

Finally, the other non-movers for the

week were Medserv plc and Island Hotels Group Holdings plc which

maintained their previous closing prices of EUR3.95 and EUR0.85 respectively on

low volume.   

 

This article which was compiled by Atlas

JMFS Investment Services Limited, does not intend to give investment advice and

the contents therein should not be construed as such. Atlas JMFS is licensed to

conduct investment services by the MFSA and is a Member Firm of the Malta Stock

Exchange. The directors or related parties, including the company, and their

clients are likely to have an interest in securities mentioned in this article.

For further information contact Atlas JMFS at 67, Level 3, South Street, Valletta,

or on Tel: 21224410, or email [email protected]